Differences with RLD on ground may cost Cong dear

The Congress-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance failed to take off on the ground, and the strain was particularly visible in Jat-dominated western Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance failed to take off on the ground, and the strain was particularly visible in Jat-dominated western Uttar Pradesh.

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In their separate assessment reports to the central leadership, many Congress observers have stated that the alliance existed only at the top level and the leaders of the two parties “failed to activate” their foot soldiers in several constituencies.

The observers also mentioned the “lack of enthusiasm” among RLD leaders and workers in a large number of constituencies where Congress candidates were in the fray.

“In the constituencies under my charge, I found that our alliance partner RLD was not active. In fact, the RLD workers avoided campaigning for our candidates,” said an observer who refused to be identified.

Another Congress observer put the blame on his partymen. “Our workers failed to activate our alliance partner in some cases,” he said. “Had Jats supported us, we would have definitely made a difference in many constituencies.”

The Jats of western UP have traditionally been opposed to the Congress, but this time the party was banking heavily on its alliance with the RLD.

While lauding the efforts of Rahul Gandhi in infusing “life into a dead party”, the reports pointed out to the “weak orgainsational structure” in several constituencies across the state. “Our sangathan is weak even at the block level in many constituencies,” one observer said.